Let's close centre to traffic on Sundays
The whole of the centre of Bristol should be closed to traffic on some summer Sundays, a leading city councillor has suggested.
Former Lord Mayor Peter Abraham says a suggestion by the council's cabinet councillor for transport, Jon Rogers, that the A4 Portway close on Sundays is looking at the wrong place.
Mr Abraham, who has been a councillor for 40 years, said that would only really benefit cyclists, whereas whole families could enjoy a day out in a traffic-free city centre.
Bristol's French twin city Bordeaux bans traffic in its centre for six Sundays every year.
Mr Abraham said: "I have been there when they close off the whole of the central area of Bordeaux to traffic.
"It's wonderful. The city takes on a different atmosphere. It's so much quieter.
"Families go out together to enjoy the city without the worry of crossing busy roads.
"We could block off certain roads. I would suggest Jacobs Wells Road, the city centre, Baldwin Street and the roads around Castle Park.
"In Bordeaux they start setting up for No Car Sunday on Saturday afternoon.
"There are stalls and street entertainment – it creates a great family atmosphere.
"I'm convinced The Portway closure would just be for cyclists.
"Closing the centre of Bristol would be for everybody."
He said Bordeaux first began having 'No Car Sunday' two or three years ago and it was very popular.
Broadmead manager John Hirst said of the city centre closure plan: "I think it would need to be carefully looked at by transport experts to see what implications it would have on people getting in and out of the city effectively.
"We need to make sure that we send the right message to people that they are still welcome to come here, and keep at least some routes into the city open.
Councillor Rogers' suggestion that the Portway could close on Sundays came following the success of Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride last weekend.
But it was criticised by Councillor Abraham's colleagues in the Conservative group on the city council.
Tory Leader Councillor Richard Eddy said of the Portway plan: "This road closure plan is absolutely barmy. The A4 Portway is a major arterial road into and out of the city.
"We have already seen the enormous and unnecessary disruption caused to the travelling public created by the daft Prince Street swing bridge fiasco – which, if anything, has created more of a traffic hazard where previously none existed.
"Now, the new Lib Dem Cabinet have shown their true anti-car credentials in proposing to exclude motorists from being able to access yet more of the existing road network."
"I appreciate that as part of the Cycling City campaign, the council is looking to create safer routes around Bristol and make parts of Bristol – particularly on Durdham Downs – more family-friendly.
"However, this initiative should not used as an excuse to continually beat up on the car driver or surrender ever more road space over to leisure use where this will have a detrimental effect on the commercial life of the city."
Mr Abraham's son Nick, 29, died after being hit by a vehicle while cycling along The Portway on January 6 this year.
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by George, Bristol
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 9:15PM
“If you say so gerry! It must be true! God bless ya.”
by Gerry, Bristol
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 4:16PM
“And the fact that you try to pass your bigotry on to their shoulders does you no favours.”
by Gerry, Bristol
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 4:14PM
“As I said George, I KNOW what I read. As for Rob and the fireman, ot ONCE did they write anything homophobic. Ony YOU did that, so don't presume to tell me what I read. The fact that they don't like you and challenge your views doesn't make them bigots like you.”
by George, Bristol
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 4:04PM
“Indeed, as I said Gerry, YOUR OPINION - you can have any opinion you like! :) Ours clearly differ. We can agree to disagree
The same cannot be said for Rob the Homophobic Fireman, unfortunately.
Let's leave it there, agreed?
P.S. gerry, have you only recently promoted yourself to a capital G, by the way?!.”
by Gerry, Bristol
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 3:09PM
“It's NOT an opinion, George. I KNOW what I read. NO homophobia from Rob or the fireman, just from YOU.”
by George, Bristol
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 8:09AM
“Gerry, you can think what you like, at the end of the day it comes down to opinion - I know I didn't post anything homophobic - simple as that..
I repeated on several occasions - "It's ok to be gay"
The only homophobia shown on here was by Rob the Homophobic Fireman.. And accusations of being a bigot - the hypocrite..
End of story.”
by Gerry, Bristol
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 6:17PM
“George, I READ your homophobic comments. Stop LYING man. The fact they were deleted speaks volumes. I myself complained about them. NOTHING the fireman or Rob said were homophobic at all. THEY attacked YOU for posting the bile you did. I used to think you were a harmless idiot, but now, having read those posts, and witnessing your lies, I'm not so sure.”
by George, Bristol
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 8:50AM
“I didn't use the term gay as a tool (!) of abuse...
That's the ironic thing - the only homophobia shown round here has been by Rob the Homophobic fireman,,,
Clear as day.”
by Bored, Bristol
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 8:13AM
“Oh dear dear DEAR, still posting on this?
Get a bloody life, the lot of you!”
by Gerry, Bristol
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 7:25AM
“George, I SAW your disgusting posts before they were quite rightly deleted. To use the term 'gay' as a tool of abuse is homophobic. Neither Rob or the fireman did, they picked YOU up on it.There is only one homophobic, hypocritical bigot on here George, and you see him every time you look in the mirror. If you can..........”